Amnesty International is awarding Aung San Suu Kyi

Prosecutors for Burma's military government have made their final arguments in a case that could send pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to prison for five years.

Defense lawyer Nyan Win told that despite nearly four hours of closing arguments Monday, the prosecution's case seemed "legally weak."

Prosecutors accuse Aung San Suu Kyi of violating the terms of her house arrest in May by allowing an American man to rest at her home after he swam there uninvited.

The court also heard from the American's lawyers, and received closing statements from two female companions living with Aung San Suu Kyi. All of them could face jail time.

Lawyer Nyan Win said the court trial has adjourned until Tuesday, when Aung San Suu Kyi's legal team will respond to the prosecution's arguments.

Nyan Win said the team is seeking to question a witness from the Foreign Ministry, who reports say told a human rights group that Aung San Suu Kyi was detained for her own "security" and not on criminal charges.

A verdict in the case is not expected for a couple of weeks.

A researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International says the trial has not been free or fair. Benjamin Zawacki says Aung San Suu Kyi should not have been detained in the first place.

The 64-year-old peace and democracy activist has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest.

Amnesty International is awarding its highest honor to Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award is to be formally announced at a concert in Dublin by Bono, the lead singer of the Irish band U2 and an award winner himself.

Source : Burma Wraps Up Case Against Aung Sang Suu Kyi By VOA News, Washington DC
27-July-2009